65 mph is still the speed limit on some roads

PEORIA – Motorists who are happy the speed limit is now 70 mph on many highways in Illinois might want to ease up on the gas going through Peoria and the Springfield area.

GateHouse Media Illinois reports that while a new state law has as of Wednesday increased the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph around the state, there are some exceptions. The speed limit is, for example, still 65 mph on Interstate 74 through Peoria and for a portion of Interstate 55 around Springfield.

The Illinois Department of Transportation said the speed limit for 87 percent of the interstate highways and 98 p rcent of rural interstates under its jurisdiction is now 70 mph. About 28 percent of the Illinois Tollway’s 286-mile system is now 70 mph.